Hey! so ive recently noticed how much Star Wars takes inspiration from Hinduism and Sanskrit especially throughout the prequel trilogy so ive decide to make a thread showing some examples

Sanskrit in Star Wars

Padmé:
Padmé’s name clearly gets its inspiration from the sanskrit word padma(पद्मा) which means “lotus”.Lotus’s usually symbolize purity which can be shown through the depiction of major Gods and Goddesses residing on top of lotuses.

Shaak Ti:
Shaaki Ti’s name gets its inspiration from the sanskrit word Shakti(शक्ति) which means “Power and Strength”.It is often associated with the Goddess Parvati who takes on the form of Shakti

Ahsoka:
Ahsoka’s name takes inspiration from the sanskrit word Ashoka(अशोक) which means “without sorrow”. The name has no godly origins and is instead the name of an Indian Emperor

Shmi:
Shmi’s name is most likely inspired by the goddess “Lakshmi”(लक्ष्मी) . Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and good fortune and is often depicted residing on top of her lotus.

Meditation:
This isnt character related but many Jedi have been shown to meditate to clear their mind. Though this practice has become normalized in our culture it originally stems from Hindu Gurus and Swamis who meditate in order to gain Moksha( finish the cylce of rebirth)

Duel of Fates:
Some of you probably already know this but the duel of fates written by John Williams is entirely sung in sanskrit!!

Bodhi:
Bodhi(बोधि) in Sanskrit means “Enlightenment”. This is possibly also where “Buddha” is derived from. When I was researching this topic I had found that a character that completely slipped my mind was Bodhi from R1.

Gungans:
The Gungans are a species of aquatic animals that get their name from the River Ganga. This holy site from Hinduism is meant to act as the final step in transferring the soul from one world to other after death. The ashes of dead are scattered throughout the river.

Jedi Funeral:
In Hinduism our bodys are cremated in a pyre so we can become one with God as we believe fire is the only portal to “heaven”.Similarly, If a Jedi’s body does not disappear they are cremated in a pyre so that they can become one with the force.

Jedi Code:
In Hinduism to truly be a good Hindu you need to be Satvik. This includes no emotional attachments, loving everyone equally and true spiritual understanding of ones self. Similarly the Jedi follow a code of no attatchment yet having compassion for everyone.

Mandalore:
Mandalore is derived from the Sanskrit word Mandala(मण्डल) meaning circle. It is also a ritual in Hinduism that represents the “universe”

Yoda:
Yoda’s name is influenced by the sanskrit word yoddha (योध) meaning warrior or war-like. The irony is that Yoda is a passive character